Alexander Stubb has announced that he will run as the National Coalition candidate in next year's presidential election.
The party had announced on Monday that it would ask Stubb to run, and his answer was given at a press conference in Helsinki on Wednesday.
"In this global situation the answer is simple: when the fatherland calls, you go," said Stubb.
In a wide-ranging press conference Stubb talked about his values, his relationship with his successor as NCP leader, and his broad experience in foreign affairs.
He denied his departure from domestic politics in 2016 was a bitter event, saying that he and current party leader Petteri Orpo are still friends and have beers together, despite Orpo's win in the election for party leader in 2016.
"I wouldn't say it was a bitter departure," said Stubb. "The wonderful thing about democracy is that unlike in authoritarian regimes, when you are free it is possible to do other things."
International networks
He said that he wasn't worried about Finland's position internationally — it has one of the strongest defence forces in Europe — but internal divisions are a cause for concern.
"As president I want to seek more unifying than divisive factors in Finnish society," said Stubb.
To emphasise his international networks, Stubb shared an anecdote about his reaction to Russia's attack on Ukraine: texting Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
Lavrov was unreceptive to Stubb's plea to avert catastrophe, leading Stubb to conclude that Russia is not going to change course and it was futile to talk to Lavrov.
Although his attempt to stop the war was unsuccessful, it did illustrate Stubb's broad range of contacts inside and outside international politics.
Crowded field
The former Prime Minister is currently working in academia in Italy's Florence, but will campaign for the head of state role over the autumn ahead of the election on 28 January.
Stubb has served as an MEP and MP, led the National Coalition Party in 2014-16 and was also Foreign Minister and a Trade and Europe Minister.
The candidates declared so far include Pekka Haavisto, Mika Aaltola and Olli Rehn, who will all run backed by voters' associations rather than political parties.
They must collect 20,000 signatures to officially run, with a deadline of December. Voters can only back one candidate looking to collect signatures in this way.
Jussi Halla-aho is the Finns Party candidate, while Harry "Hjallis" Harkimo is backed by his Movement Now party. Jaana Kavonius, Saara Huhtasaari and Paavo Väyrynen have also all said they will stand.
The Social Democratic Party is expected to put up a candidate, while the Left Alliance, the Christian Democrats and the Swedish People's Party are all still to declare their hand.
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